"I loved the playing group I was with (at the Dragons) but I wasn't enjoying my footy.

"The best thing is I don't feel alone anymore. I feel the whole (Panthers) club is with me and they'll help protect me.

"I just love going out to Penrith and the whole community really respects the effort you put in every week and the club is moving forward in a nice direction."

Soward was a central figure in the Dragons' landmark premiership win in 2010 and had several impressive seasons for the club, yet fans never seemed to appreciate the playmaker and ultimately rejoiced when he walked out the door midway through last year.

Returning from his failed venture in rugby union, New Zealand great Marshall is now experiencing a similarly harsh reaction, even though the Dragons are languishing near the bottom of the table and have chopped and changed halfbacks on a regular basis all season.

Marshall hasn't strapped on a boot, but he's already under enormous pressure to perform - perhaps starting with Saturday's match against Parramatta if given a late call up - as there has been mixed fan reaction to his signing.

Soward didn't want to concern himself with Dragons business but says the criticism won't affect Marshall.

"He's won a premiership, a World Cup and Four Nations. He's done everything in the game. He's not going to worry about what the press is saying or whatever," Soward said.

"It's good for the game he's back and I'm sure he'll put bums on seats for the Dragons."